Gary,
The last couple of times I drank some Maker's Mark at a bar, I had noticed it had improved. There was more of the nice caramel tones that used to be in the product and it was beginning to get a little oak wood as well. I theorized at the time that they are finally producing quantity more in line with the demand and they quit taking some short cuts in the aging. I hope the trend continues. It is still short of the bourbon that built its reputation, but in my opinion, it is going in the right direction again.

I've been picking up 50ml bottles of Maker's Mark at the liqueur stores when I would by something else, just to taste. It took me a while to make up my mind, but I picked up a nice large bottle today. I really like Maker's Mark. To me, the nose is mainly vanilla, with some faint fruity undertones. The taste is immediately sweet and faintly fruity, until the spice kicks in, then it takes on a nice warm cinnamon & cloves taste (and mouth feel). The finish is nice and spicy, and just seems to keep going. I find Maker's Mark to be a fairly substantial and complex bourbon.

Over all, this is a very nice bourbon for the price, and is readily available.